Animation experts will be revealing the secrets behind hit films like Finding Nemo, The Lion King and A Bug's Life.

The fifth international festival of animation, Animex, runs from Monday until Friday and is hosted by the University of Teesside.

Among the events will be international guest speakers from the animation world, competitions and images projected on to buildings around Middlesbrough.

Animex Festival director and principal lecturer in animation at the University of Teesside, Chris Williams, said: "This year we have managed to attract some of the biggest names of the animation world to Middlesbrough again."

Among the guest speakers are Dr Stuart Sumida, professor of biology at Californian State University in San Bernardino.

He gave advice on the movement and physiology of animals on Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, Hercules and Scooby Doo.

This year we have managed to attract some of the biggest names of the animation world to Middlesbrough again

Animex festival director Chris Williams

Mark Walsh, who was directing animator on Finding Nemo, and worked on A Bug's Life, Toy Story 2 and Monster's Inc, will also be giving a talk.

Oscar-winning animator Ray Harryhausen, whose pioneering work includes Jason and the Argonauts and the Clash of the Titans will give a lecture and answer questions.

Another speaker is Tom Martinek, a computer graphics supervisor with industrial Light & Magic, the company created by Star Wars director George Lucas.

During the week, there will be animated projections on prominent buildings around Middlesbrough and there will be a day devoted to computer games art, design and animation at the Riverside Stadium.

The winners of the first Animex Student Animation Awards will also be announced. The international competition has attracted 350 entries from 24 countries.